Methamphetamine injection during pregnancy decreases STIM1 in different brain regions of male rat’s offspring

Introduction: Methamphetamine (Meth) exposure not only has an effect on pregnant women but also affects the fetus directly [1]. Particularly, approximately 50% of the Meth abusing population are women [2]. Although the adverse effects of METH are well-described in adults, there is only limited knowledge regarding the impact of METH in pregnant women [3]. The aim of this study was to investigate calcium release form intracellular calcium stored, following prenatal Meth exposure, in the rat’s offspring through measurement of STIM1 [4]. Methods: Female Wistar rats, weighing an average of 200 were used. All rats were kept in temperature-controlled room (25±10), on a 12 h (light): 12 h (dark) cycle. Female rats were housed with male rats and there was always two females one male per cage. From the day 10 to 20 of gestation female rats were intraperitoneally injected with Meth (2 and 5 mg/kg) at 10 a.m. per day. Pups were sacrificed 8 to 10 weeks after birth then STIM1 levels in the Hippocampus, Amygdala and Prefrontal areas were measured via western blotting test.Results: We observed molecular changes in the Hippocampus, Amygdala and Prefrontal of rats prenatally exposed to Meth. Data have shown that STIM1 level decreased in prenatally Meth treatment in comparison control group. Statistical analysis revealed that there were significant difference in the STIM1 level in Hippocampus (P<0.0001), Amygdala (P<0.0001) and in Prefrontal (P=0.0045) between groups.Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that treatment with Meth decreases STIM1 levels and as STIM1 is a key regulator of Ca2+ channels therefore it interferes with calcium release from intracellular calcium stores.